Black to attend hearing in Michigan drug ring case

Published: Tuesday, July 18, 2000

COLUMBIA, S.C. {AP} Sports agent Tank Black agreed Monday to be sent to Michigan for a bail hearing on charges he was part of multimillion dollar drug ring.

His appearance before a federal magistrate had been delayed a week, and it only took about two minutes for lawyers for Black and Linda Wilson, his co-defendant and business partner, to consent to the transfer.

Earlier this month, a Michigan grand jury indicted Black, Wilson and several others on money laundering and drug charges.

Black, wearing a suit and shackles, smiled and waved to many of the dozen people in court.

"Hanging in there?" someone asked.

Black, a half smile on his face, nodded slowly. He has been in jail since July 5.

Defense attorney John Hardaway, who has said Black is innocent, would not discuss why Black agreed to go to Michigan.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John Barton said that for security reasons he did not know when they would be moved to Michigan by U.S. marshals. Gina Vitrano, spokeswoman for the federal prosecutor's office in Michigan U.S. attorney's office, said it generally takes two to three weeks before marshals transport indicted suspects.

Prosecutors said Black hid drug dealers' money, moved drugs and helped dealers get out of the country. He is accused of laundering $1.1 million and funneling it into a car title loan business.

Black and Wilson are also charged with conspiracy and perjury. If convicted on all counts, each could get life in prison and $4 million in fines.

Black's troubles also extend to Florida and Louisiana.

He had been free on $1 million bond on charges in Florida he swindled about a dozen NFL players out of more than $5 million. The Securities and Exchange Commission has also sued Black.

And in Louisiana, Black is accused of conspiring to bribe two people connected with the LSU football program.